China Condemns Lai Ching-te's Planned US Stopover Amid Taiwan Independence Concerns

A spokesperson for the Chinese mainland has expressed strong opposition to any plans by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te to stop over in the United States, referring to such actions as attempts to promote Taiwanese independence. Reports suggest that Lai intends to take a break in New York and Texas while en route to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize, which has raised alarms among Chinese officials.

Chen Binhua, representing the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, issued a warning to the administration led by Lai on Wednesday, asserting that their endeavors to attain separation with the backing of the United States are ultimately bound to fail. He emphasized that the US must uphold the one-China principle and adhere to the three Sino-US joint communiques, while handling issues related to Taiwan with caution, and avoiding any implications that could encourage pro-independence movements in Taiwan.

Furthermore, Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson, recently called on Paraguay to resist being used by forces advocating for Taiwanese independence, following Paraguay's President Santiago Pena's announcement regarding plans to welcome Lai next month. Lin noted a growing consensus among Latin American nations, especially those who have engaged with China, that it is imperative for Paraguay to embrace the one-China principle to avoid isolation on the international stage.

The tension surrounding Lai's trip to the US coincides with the indefinite postponement of his fifth lecture on "diplomacy," which is part of a series aimed at fostering unity in Taiwan. Zhu Songling, a professor from the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, posited that the planned stopover was a strategic move by Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to shift public focus from its internal and external issues, particularly given recent polling that indicated a decline in their support after the first four lectures received subpar engagement.

Zhu criticized Lai’s capacity to effectively discuss foreign affairs, pointing out that Taiwan's diminishing number of diplomatic allies and its relevance in the "Indo-Pacific" arena illustrate a failing foreign policy. He further suggested that the DPP's announcement regarding Lai's US transit was a hasty effort to distract from the lackluster reception of his lecture series, although the specifics of his travel plans have yet to be fully confirmed by the US.

Chen, from the Taiwan Affairs Office, condemned Lai's lecture series as a collection of misleading narratives aimed at inciting tension across the Taiwan Strait. He argued that these lectures reflect Lai's role as a significant threat to peace and warned that any attempts to instigate separation from the mainland will be met with firm resistance from the Chinese population.